Terminal device and conductor



Aug. 15, 1961 R E. IPHELON mm mm mm Filed May 24, 1980 mvmrm msm E. mam

BY "Ha .4 NOR/NEH United States Patent 2,996,569 TERMINAL DEVICE AND CONDUCTOR ASSEMBLY Russell E. Phelon, Longmeatlow, Mass. R. E. Phelon Co. Inc., East Longmeadow, Mass.) Filed May 24, 1960, Ser. No. 31,308 Claims. (Cl. 174153 This invention relates to a terminal device and conductor assembly comprising a terminal block, an electrically conductive connecting element operatively associated with the block, and a conductor operatively associated with the block and the electrically conductive connecting element. The assembly is adapted to effect an electrical connection through a wall of a housing from an exterior wire or wires to the conductor of the assembly and thence to a magneto breaker mechanism or the like within the housing.

It is the general object of the invention to provide a terminal device and conductor assembly of the type referred to wherein the parts of the assembly are adapted to be frictionally held together to permit limited rotative adjustment of the conductor, and wherein said parts are adapted to be securely held together thereafter with the conductor in adjusted position.

The drawing shows a preferred embodiment of the invention and such embodiment will be described, but it will be understood that various changes may be made from the construction disclosed, and that the drawing and description are not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a magneto breaker mechanism incorporating a terminal device and conductor assembly embodying the invention, the front housing cover of the mechanism being omitted.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged end view of the terminal device and conductor assembly taken from inside the breaker mechanism housing generally as indicated by the lines 22 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the terminal device and conductor assembly of FIG. 2 showing the parts at an early stage of assembly.

FIG. 4 is another enlarged side view of the terminal device and conductor assembly, but showing the parts thereof at a later stage of assembly wherein they are frictionally held together.

While the present invention is not so limited, the terminal device and conductor assembly is particularly well suited for use in a magneto breaker mechanism of the type shown. Generally speaking, the magneto breaker mechanism shown comprises a housing indicated generally at and having a rear wall 12 and a peripheral wall 14 with inner and outer faces and a front face 16. An interior groove or rabbet 18 provides a second front face 20. Obviously, a detachable front cover (not shown) may be provided to fit the groove or rabbet 1-8 and engage the second front face 20. Such a cover may be held in place by screws (not shown) entered in holes 22, 22 in suitable bosses on the housing wall 14.

A breaker cam 24 disposed within the housing 10 is rotatably supported as by a shaft 26 journaled in suitable openings in the rear Wall 12 and the front cover of the housing 10. A conventional wiper felt 28 for the breaker cam 24 is held in place as by entering the same in a suitable notch 30 in the peripheral housing wall 14.

There is also located within the housing 10 a bracket 32 secured to the rear wall 12 of the housing by a suitable screw 34 and carrying a stationary breaker point 36. The breaker point 36 is grounded through the brackice et 32 and the said housing rear wall. A movable breaker point 38 associated with the breaker point 36 is carried by a rocker element 40 having an arm 42 which engages the breaker cam 24. The rocker element 40 has a hearing aperture 44 which receives a shaft 46 supported by the rear housing wall 12. A spring 48 serves to bias the rocker element 40 to move the point 38 into engagement with the stationary point 36 and said spring also serves as a conductor to provide an electrical connection to the movable breaker point 38. At the end opposite the movable breaker point 38, the spring 48 is connected with a terminal device indicated generally at 50 and which serves to effect an electrical connection through the housing wall 14 from an exterior wire or wires to said spring and thence to the breaker mechanism.

As thus far generally described, the magneto breaker mechanism is conventional. Further details of the mechanism are disclosed in Russell E. Phelon Patent No. 2,847,490, issued August 12, 1958, entitled Magneto Mechanism, and in Russell E. Phelon et al. Patent No. 2,851,546, issued September 9, 1958, and entitled Terminal Connection and Assembly. The latter of the above two patents also discloses a terminal device and conductor assembly of the type used heretofore in the magneto breaker mechanisms described.

As mentioned above, the terminal device and conductor assembly of the present invention provides for friction retention of the parts with limited rotative adjustment of the conductor permitted and also provides for the subsequent positive retention of the conductor in an adjusted position. The advantages of such a terminal device and conductor assembly are particularly well illustrated in the magneto breaker mechanism shown. The terminal device 50 comprises a terminal block 52 of insulating material and an electrically conductive connecting element in the form of a small bolt 54 which is entered in suitable apertures in the terminal block and the spring 48. Observing that the terminal block 52 is adapted to be entered rearwardly in a notch 56 in the peripheral housing wall 14 and that the rocker element 40 may be conveniently fixedly connected with the spring 48, it will be seen that the said terminal block, bolt, spring, and rocker element may be conveniently preassembled and incorporated in the breaker mechanism as a subassembly. That is, the said elements may be preassembled and then incorporated in the breaker assembly by moving the same rearwardly with respect to the housing 10 to enter the terminal block 52 in the notch 56 and to mount the rocker element 40 on the shaft 46.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the ability of the spring 48 to be rotatively adjusted relative to the terminal block 52 and the bolt 54 will greatly facilitate the task of aligning the said terminal block with its receiving notch 56 and simultaneously aligning the bearing aperture 44 with the shaft 46 during incorporation of the subassembly in the breaker mechanism. The ability of the terminal device and conductor assembly to be thereafter secured to positively retain the conductor or spring in adjusted position will of course assure proper registry of the stationary and movable breaker points 36 and 28. Rotary adjustment of a conductor followed by secure retention of the same in adjusted position may of course be highly desirable in other electrical mechanisms and, accordingly, the invention is not to be construed as limited to terminal device and conductor assemblies wherein the conductor comprises a conductive spring, such as the spring 48, nor is the invention to be construed as limited to such assemblies adapted particularly for use in magneto breaker mechanisms.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be observed that the above-mentioned terminal block 52 is provided with a groove 58 adapted to receive edge portions of the peripheral housing wall 14 adjacent the notch 56. An inner portion 60 of the terminal block 52 has a substantially flat surface 62 which may properly be described as inwardly facing with respect to the breaker mechanism housing when the block is entered in the notch 56. A cylindrical aperture or opening 64 in the terminal block 52 extends from inner to outer sides of the peripheral wall 14 when the said block is entered in the notch 56 and the aforesaid substantially flat surface 62 lies in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said Opening 64 at the inner end of the opening.

There is provided on the surface 62 of the terminal block 52, in accordance with the invention, a flange 66 which may be said to extend inwardly when the'block is entered in the notch 56 and which is provided with a notch 68 in its inner edge portion. Preferably and as shown, the flange 66 is provided with a substantially flat surface 70 which is normal to the aforesaid inwardly facing substantially flat surface 62 on the terminal block 52. The notch 68, in accordance with the presently preferred practice, has similar side walls 72, 72 (FIG. 4) which converge from the mouth of the notch toward its base. As will be seen, the size and shape of the notch 68 may be somewhat critical.

As shown, the terminal block 52 also includes an outer portion 74 which may be provided with an inclined surface 76 adapted to cooperate with a particular type of sheet metal terminal unit shown in the aforementioned Phelon et a1. Patent No. 2,851,546. The terminal unit shown in this patent is adapted to receive and hold exterior wires to be connected with a magneto breaker mechanism, but the specific manner in which exterior wires are connected with the terminal device and conductor assembly of the present invention may vary widely. As will be seen, exterior wires may be connected to the present terminal device and conductor assembly using a number of different types of terminal units on the ends of the wires, or such wires may be connected to the assembly without the use of any terminal units on the ends of wires.

The aforementioned bolt 54 has a threaded body portion 78 which is adapted to be entered in the cylindrical opening 64 in the terminal block 62 and to project from the outer end of said opening when entered therein as best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Said bolt also has a head portion 80 which. is disposed adjacent the inner end of the cylindrical opening 64 and adjacent the inwardly facing substantially flat surface 62 when the bolt body portion '78 is entered in the opening 64 as described. In further accord with the present invention, the head portion 80 of the bolt 54 is provided with a small lug 82 which is adapted to be entered in the aforementioned notch 68 in the flange 66 when the body portion of the bolt is entered in the cylindrical opening 64. The lug 82 extends generally radially with respect to the body portion of the bolt 54 and, in accordance with the presently preferred practice,

the head portion 80 of the bolt has at least one straight side edge and the lug 82 extends generally normally from said edge. As shown, the head portion 80 of the bolt is substantially square with the lug 82 pnojecting generally normally from a straight side edge 84. As best shown in FIG. 2, the straight side edge 84 of the head portion 88 engages the aforementioned flat flange surface 70 when the body portion 78 of the bolt is entered in the cylindrical opening 64 as described.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the bolt 54 may be assembled with the terminal block 52 by entering the body portion 78 of the bolt in the cylindrical opening 64 as described. With the bolt and terminal block assembled, the straight side edge 84 of the head portion 80 of the bolt will flatly engage the surface 70 of the flange and the lug 82 will be entered in the notch 68. As a result of the engagement of the edge 84 with the flange surface70 and the entrance of the lug 82 in the notch 68,

the blt54 will be secured against rotation relative to the terminal block 52" and exterior wires may be connected to the bolt and block, with or without terminal units on the ends of the wires, by means of a suitable nut 86 (FIG. 1) threaded onto the outwardly projecting end of the bolt body portion 78. In FIG. 1 a terminal unit 88 is shown clamped between the nut 86 and the outer portion 74 of the terminal block 52 and it will be obvious thatan electrical connection between the bolt 54 and exterior wires is thus effected.

Further in accord with the present invention, a conductor is connected with the terminal block 52 and the bolt' 54. More specifically, there is provided a conductor which has an apertured substantially flat portion which is adapted to be disposed between the head portion of the bolt 54 and the substantially flat inwardly facing terminal block surface 62 with the body portion 78 of the bolt extending through said aperture. The said substantially flat portion of the conductor is constructed and arranged relative to the flange 66 to provide for limited rotative movement of the conductor about the body portion of the bolt and relative to the terminal block. Thus, a desired notative adjustment of the conductor may be effected with the terminal block, the bolt, and the conductor loosely assembled, and the conductor may thereafter be clamped securely between the head portion of the bolt and said substantially flat terminal block surface to retain the conductor in adjusted position.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the conductive spring 48 is connected with the terminal block 52 and the bolt 54 and said spring constitutes the abovementioned conductor. The spring has a substantially flat end portion 90 provided with an aperture 92 which loosely receives the body portion 78 of the bolt 54. In planform the end portion 96 of the spring 48 is substantially rectangular and includes a substantially straight edge 94. In constructing and arranging the spring end portion 9t) to provide for rotative adjustment of the spring, the aperture 92 is judiciously located therein and the end portion 90 of the spring is provided with a carefully selected width so that the edge 94 is spaced slightly from the flange 66. It is to be understood, however, that the spring or other conductor may be otherwise constructed and arranged to provide for the desired limited rotative adjustment as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 2.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the spring 48, with the rocker element 40 and with the movable breaker point 38 secured thereto, may be assembled with the terminal block 52 and the bolt 54 to provide the subassembly mentioned above. In accordance with the presently preferred practice, friction retention of the said elements in assembled relationship is provided for. That is, provision is made for frictionally retaining the bolt 54 in the terminal block 52 with the spring end portion 90 disposed between the bolt head portion and the flat surface 62 on the terminal block as shown in FIG. 4. The relative sizes and shapes of the lug 82 and the notch 68 are such that the said lug is frictionally retained in the notch 68 with suflicient space between the head portion 80 of the bolt and the surface 62 to accommodate the above-described rotative adjustment of the spring 48. In FIG. 4 it will be observed that the lug 82 is partially entered in the notch 68 so as to engage the converging side walls 72, 72 of the notch and be frictionally retained therein. It will also be observed that there is a slight space at 94 between the head portion 80 of the bolt and the end portion 98 of the spring. Thus, the subassembly may be expected to hold together under conditions of normal handling, but the spring 48 may be rotatably adjusted as required to permit entering of the terminal unit 52 in the notch 56 to be conveniently accomplished simultaneously with mounting of the rocker element 40 on the shaft 46.

After the subassembly comprising the terminal block 52, the bolt 54, the spring48, the rocker arm 40, and the movable breaker point 38 has been assembled with the remaining elements of the breaker mechanism, the exterior wires may be connected in the manner indicated above. That is, the ends of the exterior wires or a terminal unit thereon, such as the unit 88, may be clamped between the terminal block 52 and the nut 86. During tightening of the nut, the head portion 80 of the bolt 54 will be drawn axially outwardly into secure engagement with the end portion 90 of the spring 48 whereby to clamp the said spring portion to the surface 62 and to hold the spring in adjusted position. It is important to note here that in drawing the head portion of the bolt 54 axially outwardly, the lug 82 is urged toward the base of the notch 68 with the straight edge 84 of the head portion in engagement with the flange surface 70 and rotation of the bolt is thus prevented. Obw'ously, such rotation would tend to turn the spring from its adjusted position and might unduly stress the spring and result in misalignment of the breaker points 36 and 38.

The principal advantages of the terminal device and conductor assembly of the present invention are set out above and need not be repeated in summary. There is, however, one feature of the notch and lug construction which may not be readily apparent. The converging side walls 72, 72 of the notch 68 provide for the friction retention of the bolt 54 in the terminal block 52 as stated. In addition, it is to be observed that these side walls provide for a camming action which effects proper engagement of the straight side edge 54 of the bolt head portion 80 with the flat surface 70 on the flange 66. More specifically, it will be seen that the lug 82, on first entering the notch 68, will be cammed or guided toward the center line of said notch whereby to rotate the bolt through a small angle as required to align the straight edge 34 on the bolt head portion 80 with the flat surface 70 on the flange 66. When the lug has been entered in the notch a sufficient distance to provide for the friction retention of the same therein, the lug will be centered in the notch with the said edge 84 and surface 70 aligned and in engagement and further rotation of the bolt relative to the terminal block will be prevented.

The invention claimed is:

l. A terminal device and conductor assembly for effecting an electrical connection through a wall of a housing in a magneto breaker mechanism or the like, said assembly comprising a terminal block of insulating material which is adapted to be entered in an opening in a housing wall and attached to said wall, said terminal block having a cylindrical opening therethrough which extends from inner to outer sides of the housing wall and also having a substantially flat inwardly facing surface which lies in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said cylindrical opening at the inner end of said opening and which is provided with an inwardly extending flange with a notch in its inner edge portion, an electrically conductive connecting element having a threaded body portion entered in the cylindrical opening in said terminal block and projecting from the outer end thereof and also having a head portion disposed adjacent the inner end of said opening and said substantially flat surface and provided with a generally radially extending lug which is entered in the notch in said inwardly extending flange, and an electrical conductor having a substantially flat portion which is disposed between said substantially flat surface and said head portion of said connecting element and which is provided with an opening for loosely receiving said body portion of said connecting element, said substantially flat portion of said conductor being constructed and arranged relative to said inwardly extending flange to provide for limited rotative adjustment of said conductor about the body portion of said connecting element relative to said terminal block.

2. A terminal device and conductor assembly for effecting an electrical connection through a wall of a housing in a magneto breaker mechanism or the like, said assembly comprising a terminal block of insulating material which is adapted to be entered in an opening in a housing wall and attached to said wall, said terminal block being provided with a cylindrical opening which extends therethrough from inner to outer sides of the housing wall and a substantially flat inwardly facing surface which lies in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said cylindrical opening at the inner end of said open-- ing and which is disposed adjacent an inwardly extending flange which has a substantially flat surface normal to said flat inwardly facing surface and a notch in its inner edge portion, an electrically conductive connecting element having a threaded body portion entered in the cylindrical opening in said terminal block and projecting from the outer end thereof and also having a connected head portion disposed adjacent the inner end of said opening and said substantially flat surface and provided with at least one straight side edge which engages said substantially flat flange surface and which has a lug extending generally normally therefrom into the notch in said flange, and an electrical conductor having a substantially flat portion which is disposed between said substantially flat inwardly facing surface and said head portion of said connecting element and which is provided with an opening for loosely receiving said body portion of said connecting element, said substantially flat portion of said conductor being constructed and arranged relative to said inwardly extending flange to provide for limited rotative adjustment of said conductor about the body portion of said connecting element relative to said terminal block.

3. A terminal device and conductor assembly for effecting an electrical connection through a Wall of a housing in a magneto breaker mechanism or the like, said assembly comprising a terminal block of insulating material which is adapted to be entered in an opening in a housing wall and attached to said wall, said terminal block being provided with a cylindrical opening which extends therethrough from inner to outer sides of the housing wall and having a substantially flat inwardly facing surface which lies in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said cylindrical opening at the inner end of said opening and which is disposed adjacent an inwardly extending flange which has a substantially flat surface normal to said flat inwardly facing surface and a notch in its inner edge portion, a small electrically conductive square head bolt with its threaded body portion entered in the cylindrical opening in said terminal block and projecting from the outer end thereof and with its head portion disposed adjacent the inner end of said opening and said substantially flat inwardly facing surface with one side edge of said head portion engaging said substantially flat flange surface, said one side edge of said bolt head portion being provided with a generally normally extending lug which is entered in the notch in said inwardly extending flange, and an electrical conductor having a substantially flat portion which is disposed between said substantially flat inwardly facing surface and said head portion of said connecting element and which is provided with an opening for loosely receiving said body portion of said connecting element, said substantially flat portion of said conductor being spaced sufliciently from said inwardly extending flange to provide for limited rotative adjustment of said conductor about the body portion of said connecting element relative to said terminal block.

4. A terminal device and conductor assembly for effecting an electrical connection through a wall of a housing in a magneto breaker mechanism or the like, said assembly comprising a terminal block of insulating material which is adapted to be entered in an opening in a housing wall and attached to said wall, said terminal block being provided with a cylindrical opening which extends therethrough from inner to outer sides of the housing wall and having a substantially flat inwardly facing surface which lies in a plane substantially normal to the axis of said cylindrical opening at the inner end 7 of said opening and which is disposed adjacent an inwardly extending flange which has a substantially flat surface normal to said flat inwardly facing surface and a notch in its inner edge portion, said notch having side walls which are generally convergent from the mouth of the notch toward its base, an electrically conductive connecting element having a threaded body portion entered in the cylindrical opening in said terminal block and projecting from the outer end thereof and alsohaving a connected head portion disposed adjacent the inner end of said opening and said substantially flat surface and provided with at least one straight side edge which engages said substantially flat flange surface and which has a lug extending generally normally therefrom into the notch in said flange, and an electrical conductor having a substantially flat portion which is disposed between said substantially flat inwardly facing surface and said head portion of said connecting element and which is provided Fit,

with an opening for loosely receiving said'body portion of said connecting element, said substantially flat portion of said conductor being constructed and arranged relative to said inwardly extending flange to provide for limited rotative adjustment of said conductor about the body portion of said connecting element and relative to said terminal block.

5. A terminal device and conductor assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the relative sizes and shapes of said notch and lug are such that the lug is frictionally retained in the notch when partially entered therein with the head portion of the connecting element sufliciently spaced from the inwardly facing fiat surface of the terminal block to permit rotative adjustment of said electrical conductor.

No references cited. 

